Zambia’s national football coach, Avram Grant, has presented his playing philosophy to the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) and is now awaiting their feedback after a recent convention in Lusaka aimed at shaping the future direction of Zambian football.
Last month, FAZ hosted a three-day convention at Mika Lodge, gathering an array of football experts, including former national team coaches, philosophers from the University of Zambia, administrators, and journalists.
The goal was to develop a unified Zambian football philosophy that could lead the nation back to its glory days, with ambitions to win the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and qualify for a first-ever FIFA World Cup.
FAZ President Andrew Kamanga explained the rationale behind the initiative, stating, “This initiative is not just about ideas but about forging the intellectual backbone of our nation.
As you are all aware, football is a complex sport that demands a unique blend of skills and abilities.
Kamanga further elaborated, saying, “While natural talent undoubtedly plays a role, reaching the pinnacle of the game requires more than just flare.
What we are gathered here for this morning is therefore an important step that will help us respect and determine who we are, who we aspire to be, and the values we wish to pass on to future generations.”
In an interview with SportsBoom.com, Grant discussed his contribution to the project, noting, “I gave them [FAZ] my philosophy, and we had a presentation for the coaches and everything.
But I am still waiting for them to give me their philosophy.”
He shared insights into his coaching approach, adding, “I shared with them about the trainings, about the way of playing, about mentality.
It’s a combination of a few things that you need to develop. I think the new philosophy needs to answer the main question—how will I do that?”
Grant emphasized the practical side of coaching, particularly the tactical understanding he aims to instill in his players.
“There are two questions that I say to the players: first, why are we pressing high? I give them the answer, and the second is how we’ll do it on the pitch and in the training.
So for me, it’s more interesting how they will implement this philosophy. This is the key, by the way,” he explained.
While Grant awaits FAZ’s finalized vision, he remains committed to his role and is keen on fulfilling the targets outlined in his two-year performance-based contract, which he signed in December 2022.
His primary objectives include qualifying Zambia for the 2023 AFCON, which he has achieved, and working toward securing a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Despite two early losses in the qualifiers, he remains focused on developing a cohesive team.
Grant has expressed a positive outlook on his future with the team, saying, “I am happy to be here; I am happy to do my job; if I was unhappy, I would leave.
But I have targets that I want to achieve, first by building a good team, and if I don’t think I’ll be able to meet them, I can leave.”
For now, Grant’s focus is on the players and their on-field performance.
he most important thing is what you do on the pitch; any philosophy is good, but we need to follow the players like I do [and make them understand how we want to play right now],” he commented.
He noted that while philosophical frameworks are important, they must be actionable and aligned with the team’s practical needs.
As Zambia looks ahead, the development of a clear, effective playing philosophy will be crucial to achieving long-term success on the African and global stages.
